Many Lives of Syeda X: A woman’s vulnerable journey over the dangerous times

Many Lives of Syeda X* by Neha Dixit tells the story of Syeda, a Muslim woman born in Varanasi, a city sacred to Hindus. The narrative spans from the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, portraying Syeda’s life as a reflection of the plight faced by millions of marginalized Muslims, especially women.

Syeda hails from a family of skilled weavers in Bengal, where Muslims traditionally made Banaras sarees. However, the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition also affected the economic conditions of Muslim weavers in Banaras. The destruction of livelihoods, coupled with the advent of power looms, left many Muslim families impoverished and displaced. Syeda’s family, facing fear and hunger, eventually migrates to Delhi in search of a better life.

In Delhi, Syeda and her husband Akmal, a former weaver, become part of the city’s informal labor sector. Akmal takes up rickshaw pulling, while Syeda works tirelessly in various informal jobs, including sewing jeans, making door latches, and preparing snacks, among others. She juggles multiple jobs, working 16 hours a day to support her family of five.

The book broadens its scope to explore the larger migration of Muslim families from states like Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi. Syeda’s struggles are a testament to the labor exploitation faced by women in India’s unorganised sector. Despite her relentless efforts, Syeda and her family, like many others, remain vulnerable to social and political upheavals.

Neha Dixit masterfully weaves together personal and political narratives, illustrating how economic and communal violence intersect. She sheds light on the exploitation of women’s labor, particularly in the informal economy, where laws like minimum wage and worker protection are rarely enforced. Through Syeda’s story, Dixit also highlights how marginalised communities bear the brunt of broader political changes, including demonetisation, the implementation of GST, and the Citizenship Amendment Act.

One of the book’s standout chapters is “Almonds” which details the participation of women in labor strikes, their gradual political awakening, and the challenges they face both in the workplace and at home. Syeda’s resilience is evident as she survives the various socio-political upheavals that mark modern India, including the 2020 Delhi riots and the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an essential book for readers interested in labor rights, women’s rights, and the socio-political challenges faced by marginalized communities in India.

Rama Sundari is with Progressive Organization for Women. And also an editorial board member of magazine Matruka. She has translated Gowher Geelani’s book Kashmir: Rage and Reason into telugu and edited some of the translated books of kashmiri authors. By profession she is Head of the Electronics and Communications Department in a Government polytechnic, Andhra Pradesh.